Dear Student,
It is incredible to believe that we are now halfway through our academic year and ¾ of the way through the term of the SRC of 2015/16. In my previous letter to campus I indicated what a significant time South Africa, and indeed this campus, is in as we are truly transitioning towards a future that includes all South Africans. The past few months our campus has indeed battled with several issues as we try to find solutions, but it is refreshing to me, a student of Stellenbosch University for over 5 years now, to start seeing the fruits of the continued work our staff and students have poured into this campus.
Student Dean
I am indeed most grateful that the position of the Student Dean has been restored, after the SRC has called for it's return for over 3 years. As an SRC, we are looking forward to see the Student Dean head the Student Governance and Leadership arms of the University that will truly bring back much needed support towards our student leaders not only on the SRC, but also on MADsquare, The Arts and Culture Committee, Student Parliament and all other students leaders via the FVZS institute.
This will truly be one of the proudest legacies this SRC leaves behind.
Student Parliament
Speaking of Student Parliament, the SRC has committed itself to enquire about the reasoning behind the sudden demise of this structure. This structure plays a crucial role in not only keeping the SRC accountable, but also providing a platform for students to raise concern. We have been promised by the University's Student Governance Arm that a task team is currently in place to work out a way forward and ensure what happened earlier this year doesn't occur in future. We will continue to place pressure on Student Governance to ensure that this structure returns as soon as possible.
Shuttle Service
The SRC finds it concerning that the Shuttle service remains an extremely lacking service after several engagements with the University. We are in contact with several University stakeholders to see how this problem can be relieved, especially since it gets darker sooner and colder weather is upon us.
Find out more about the current shuttle system here: http://www0.sun.ac.za/sustainability/pages/english/transport-mobility/campus-shuttle-service.php#Stellenbosch
In term of transport we ask that you send suggestions on how we can make it even more efficient so that we get a comprehensive student perspective in the engagements we are putting forward to stakeholder. Please send them to: sr@sun.ac.za
Safety
The safety of students remains one of our key priorities and we congratulate Romek Sadowski on his appointment as the SRC member for safety. In a true sign of progress, the Safety Committee is now a well functioning body consisting of all the vice-Prims of all houses and PSO's to ensure that the safety portfolio has their feet firmly on the ground.
Merely a week ago this portfolio undertook a night walk with management to point out the several non-working lights and danger zones that still exist on our campus. The safety portfolio is also currently engaging in talks as to how to improve co-operation with the University to ensure that student representation is always involved in security and emergency-related decision making.
High on the agenda is the deployment of extra security around study venues for the upcoming examinations and we have seen a commitment from Management to see this implemented.
The safety committee is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all students and we encourage students to email studentsafety@sun.ac.za for any concerns or tweet @studentsafetySU.
#EndRapeCulture
The SRC has also very directly been involved in the call to end Rape Culture on this campus. Through the work of our womxn empowerment, gender identity and consciousness portfolio's, several thousands students has been reached. These engagements include several workshops presented at Residences and PSO's, mass action on the Rooiplein and workshops. This term also saw the Shaken Silence-campaign host critical discussions on the Rooiplein that was broadcasted live on MFM to try and reach a much wider audience.
Also The Rector's Management Team (RMT) which includes the SRC has initiated a Task Team on Rape Culture and has called upon a diverse group of Student Leaders, staff and students to examine attitudes, behaviours and beliefs about gender, violence, power and patriarchy which in any way contribute to the deepening of gender violence within our campus community.
The Task Team is examining aspects of climate and culture and will make recommendations to the SU about how to address some of these deep-seated attitudes and practices.
We call upon the campus community, staff and students to assist our Task Team in gathering as many diverse voices as possible. To this end, we are preparing a climate survey, interviews, questionnaires, meetings and various other avenues to gather information. We have also set up a dedicated email address ttrc@sun.ac.za for this purpose.
We invite you, out students, to send your contributions to this email address ttrc@sun.ac.za to add to the many voices which will inform our recommendations.
Awareness is key to battling Rape Culture on this campus and we thank the several organisations that worked together with us spreading the message.
Read more on what Rape Culture is here: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3806
Womxn Empowerment
As one of the key partners in the End Rape Culture campaign, the womxn empowerment portfolio also launched this campus' very first Pad Drive which saw several hundred pads donated to needy students in Kayamandi High School. During the hand-over function, the womxn empowerment portfolio also presented a session on consent to the school's womxn students.
Several sanitary pads will also be donated to outsourced workers by the end of the month. We encourage students in need of sanitary pads to visit the SRC offices, on the third floor of the Neelsie, where we will be able assist.
The portfolio is also in the process of to finalise a policy relating to free sanitary items at this University and we are furthermore re-visiting the visiting hours at residences.
The Womxn portfolio also presented yet another vagina monologue that sought to create a safe space for womxn to share experiences and emotions. We are grateful for the very high turnout of this event which proves the need for more of these safe spaces.
Gender Identity & Sexuality
This portfolio has also been extremely busy and hosted several discussions relating to LGBTI+ on this campus. This portfolio has also been instrumental in the establishment of queer safe spaces and celebrated International Transgender on the 31st of March on the Rooiplein to try and raise awareness regarding this pressing issue.
You can see pictures regarding the Transgender Awareness- campaign here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.226556704370876.1073741830.187794414913772&type=1&l=cab6380b9c
Next month the SRC will also be launching a writing competition, in partnership with the English and African languages department to try and share stories regarding sex, gender and sexuality.
Matie Identity
Last year the SRC rebranded the Matie Life to Matie Identity as we tried to encourage this portfolio to think outside the boundaries of a typical Stellenbosch Student. This portfolio itself has been driving the issue of Ableism, discrimination in favour of able-bodied people, and presented several workshops on this issue. We are further in contact with SSVO and facilitative office to sort out various issues concerning disabled students.
The panel interviews for Mr, Miss and Mx Matie is currently underway and we are looking forward to a spectacular event next term. Short on the heels of that, Matie Identity Week (15-20 August 2016) will also be taking place next term where several events , including events in partnership with the Gender Identity portfolio regarding African feminism and sexuality, will be taking place.
Arts and Culture
The Arts and Culture portfolio was exceptionally busy and finished the very successful Toneelfees but two weeks ago. The portfolio is also presenting a photography and writing competition and you can find entry forms at the SRC offices, third floor in the Neelsie.
Find out who the winners of Toneelfees was here: https://www.facebook.com/kukosr/posts/864765223634542
The Arts and Culture portfolio is also looking forward to ser-season starting next term with Cluster ser already starting on the 20th of July.
Sustainability, Innovation and Technology
The Sustainability portfolio has also just finished it's sustainability-week last week that saw the return of the recycling program to campus as well as an extremely innovative Solar powered cooking program displayed.
The three-bin system will be operating again and we really do encourage students to use the bins accordingly to ensure that we improve our campus' recycling output. The portfolio has also continued in its ongoing programme to recycle plastic bottle caps.
Furthermore, the sustainability portfolio is involved in the Clothes for life project where students can drop op clothing on campus that will be exchanged for trees to be planted in Kayamandi and other communities.
In terms of Technology the portfolio is meeting with I.T to sort the internet issue and is also heavily involved in the wifi situation on campus that will be continually improved. One of the initiatives that is quite evident is that construction you see which is improving internet access as they are implementing fiber optic cables to so we can have wifi in the classroom. This is from a management from Council 5 years ago, which only now is coming to fruition.
Social Impact
The MADsquare portfolio headed an exciting initiative during April where a street store was opened for those without homes to choose clothing for themselves.
You can find out more about street store here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9Y1SeQFhfM
This portfolio also looks forward to expanding the current tutoring programme next semester. If you keen to join email: socialimpact@sun.ac.za or mad@sun.ac.za
Sport and Recreation
On the Sport and Recreation side, we wish to congratulate Miss Joy Mashego that won the Miss Varsity Cup title. This was truly a highlight of an Varsity Cup series that Stellenbosch University did an excellent job hosting. It's unfortunate we couldnt win the cup but let's hope next year it comes home
We also wish to congratulate our Maties 7's rugby team who won the Varsity 7's cup over the long weekend.
We also keep on encouraging staff and students alike to support our Hockey teams in the upcoming Varsity Hockey cup from the 13th of May and our Maties Monday Madness recreational activities presented on Monday's at Coetzenburg.
Societies Council
Not only has Societies Council joined the campus wide Maties app where students can sign up and find out more about societies, but societies council is also currently reviewing its constitution and invites student input.
Find out more about the Matie-ville app here: http://app.matieville.co.za/landing/Desktop#.VzMVd4R96Uk
Read the Societies Council constitution here: http://blogs.sun.ac.za/sug/files/2010/09/Constitution-of-the-Societies-Council.pdf
Leadership Development
The leadership development portfolio has also been extremely busy and now have regular meetings with all leadership House Committee members on campus.
We are working hard to ensure that the forthcoming House Committee elections are not popularity contests, but rather a selection process to elect students that will make a lasting impact. The PK unanimously accepted our guiding document, and trust the principles expressed there will be implemented within your communities.
A course for non-positional leaders is in the process of development while the Leadership Development Committee is also in the process to providing support in keeping leaders motivated and focussed. Furthermore a Second Year's Forum has been formulated for Second Year Committees for next term, be sure to attend once date is finalised.
The SRC is also acutely involved in the planning of the forthcoming SUleads as we believe that this conference should be strengthened to truly equip our student leaders. It is our belief that issues on womxn empowerment, gender identity and consciousness should become key stones of this conference and will keep on pushing for it's inclusion. And have asked the student leadership structure to further put forward suggestion to strengthen the conference.
Academic Affairs Council (ACC)
The Academic Affairs Council represents all faculties and students regarding their academic concerns and has undertaken an amazing outreach initiative where the ACC visits surrounding schools to assist students in applying for Stellenbosch University. AAC has rebranded itself and even had an AAC week between 21-25 April 2016
On their first visit they visited Sinako High School in Khayelitsha where 158 matric students was reached.
See the photo's of the outreach here: https://www.facebook.com/abrstellenbosch/posts/564270020413675
Class representatives also received training the past month to ensure that this structure operates optimally in assisting students.
See photo's of the class representative training here: https://www.facebook.com/abrstellenbosch/posts/564265490414128
Furthemore, the ACC is happy to report that the 'no name exam rule' will continue in the upcoming examination period to ensure students do not receive negative marking from staff with personal biases.
Language
Stellenbosch University's current Language Policy remains a contested policy, drawing sharp criticism from foremost academics and activists. The SRC is then happy to have been closely involved in the formulation of the new policy and believe that Council will vote in favor of an inclusive campus environment.
The SRC will continue working with its stakeholders in Societies Council, the Prim Committee and the Academic Affairs Council to ensure that language is never used as a barrier on this campus while we continue to support the university in finding solutions to this pressing issue. Any further opinions pieces or thoughts to strengthen our case for this change please email to sr@sun.ac.za by the 5 June 2016.
General
As an SRC we have decided not to allow our last term pass us by and is investing in several initiatives from TEDx Stellenbosch to partnerships with Launch-lab and MFM. We are working hard to ensure that our goal to see an inclusive, innovative and sustainable campus is always one step closer.
In line with this goal, we would like to invite students to join us in our fundraising initiatives for student debt and the 'missing middle' for the next SRC in 2016/2017.
We also encourage students to help us organise future Critical engagement initiatives and campaigns, so we get more voices to further add and strengthen our perspectives. University is a knowledge space and though we may differ on the how, our diverse perspectives will assist in ensuring we arrive to collective and effective consensus.
Apply for the fundraising and Critical Discussion workgroups here (deadline: 20 May 2016): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-8pe-4pjouC8xM0qTBjGbMvnLSqRAoJrLHSig2xiSNQ/viewform
The SRC is also very excited to open up nominations for the honorary degrees to the entire student population. Honorary degrees are given to academic and public figures that has reached the pinnacle of success and we encourage students to send their nominations, and a short bio of the nominee, to sr@sun.ac.za by the 20th of May 2016.
We also keep on encouraging our students to stay focussed on their forthcoming exams and achieve academic success. Like I have said, the SRC is committed on making our last term a huge success and we hope that you will choose to make your academic career on this campus also a success.
We keep on facing an incredible time of transition on this campus and in South Africa. While I tend to get frustrated about the slow process of change on this campus.However I have grown grateful the past terms progress and the seeds that have been sown and recently sprouted from long ago are actually now starting to make a difference.
May we continue sowing those seeds of change as we move ever closer to our ideal Stellenbosch. It's not most glamours warcry you'll hear, but someone has to do the work to see change happen.
Till next time.
Kind regards,
Axolile Qina
SRC Chairperson 2015/2016
